WRAC Archive 2021

The following is an archive of past WRAC meeeings. Archives back to 2017 are available by request.

Note: Content on this page is not being maintained and may contain broken links or out of date information. If you see something you need please check with us to see if we have any updated material before using it.

Chris Anderson
Water Resources Program webmaster
chris.anderson@ecy.wa.gov
(360) 890-5471 (Cell)

2021 Meetings

December 13

Agenda - includes WebEx information
The comment period has been discontinued for Policy POL-1025 - Policy for Conveying Stockwater Away from Streams to Protect Water Quality. For more information on this contact Jimmy Norris at 360 480-5722
Agency Request Legislation
- Focus on: Drought Response Capacity
- Z-0374.2 –Bill Request
Water Bank Pilot Grants
- Water banking pilot grant funding page
- Water banking grant guidelines
- Frequently Asked Questions about our Water Banking Grants Pilot Program - Blog with FAQ’s Dec. 10, 2021
- Pilot program to fund local water banks - Blog Nov. 17, 2021
Streamflow Restoration Competitive Grants - Open Nov. 2, 2021 - Feb. 1, 2022
- Grants are to support projects and actions that meet the purposes of chapter 90.94 RCW—restore and enhance streamflows to support robust, healthy, and sustainable salmon populations.
- Eligible applicants: Washington state agencies, local governments and quasi-governments, federal agencies, Tribal governments, and non-profit organizations.
50 Year Anniversary of RCW 90.54
- RCW 90.54 Water Resources Act of 1971 - link to RCW
- Chronology of Significant Water Resources Events

November 8

Agenda - includes Webex login information
Snowpack & Wassington Water Supplies - Blog Nov. 18, 2021
Pilot program to fund local water banks - Blog Nov. 17, 2021
Streamflow Restoration Competitive Grants - Open Nov. 2, 2021 - Feb. 1, 2022
- Grants are to support projects and actions that meet the purposes of chapter 90.94 RCW—restore and enhance streamflows to support robust, healthy, and sustainable salmon populations.
- Eligible applicants: Washington state agencies, local governments and quasi-governments, federal agencies, Tribal governments, and non-profit organizations.
Legal cases - Steve North
- US Golden Eagle vs. Ecology (challenges to Darrington Trust Water Application and Ecology denial of US Golden Eagle Permit Application), PCHB Nos. 21-066; 067 (consolidated).
- Reser vs. Ecology (PCHB SJ in favor of Ecology in relinquishment case) PCHB No. 20-040.
- ALM Water LLC and Columbia Bluffs LLC (challenge to Ecology reversal of Grant County WCB approval of change of a portion of a water right due to alleged errors in publication notice) PCHB 21-062
- DNR vs. Ecology (challenge to ECY denial of application to change publicly owned land permit under Family Farm Act) PCHB 21-053
- Burkholder vs. Ecology (Ecology denied Mr. Burkholder’s request to drill 14 wells in the Methow Basin) SJ pending in favor of Ecology. PCHB 20-042.

October 11 - Meeting canceled

Water rights and dam safety policies, procedures & guidance - POL-1050 is in the Admisitration of water rights (#1000-1120)

September 13

Agenda - includes Webex login information
Draft policy and interpretive statement on the Administration of the Trust Water Rights Program (TWRP) - Presentation
- Draft Policy on Administration of the Statewide Trust Water Rights Program
- Draft Request to Establish or Modify a Water Bank- Draft of the form
- Please submit written comments through this link by Sunday, September 19 at 11:59pm
Streamflow Restoration Competitive Grants
- Up to $40 million available for streamflow restoration projects - Blog
- Streamflow Restoration section update - presentation
Water Banks in WA - includes link to water bank tracking
- Water banking grants
- Water Banking Grant Pilot - presentation
Legal brief - recent decisions, settlements, cases to watch/pending decisions
Dungeness Water Exchange - Mitigation Pricing Update - Washington Water Trust
Chamokane Creek
- United States of America, Spokane Tribe of Indians, v. Barbara J. Anderson, et al.

August 9 - 9am to noon

Agenda - includes Webex login information
Water Rights Transfers, Water Banking, and Private Investment in Public Water Resources
- Briefing Paper for WRAC Discussion - please read before the Aug. 9 meeting and come prepared to discuss your ideas
- Presentation
Draft policy and interpretive statement on the Administration of the Trust Water Rights Program (TWRP)
- Draft Policy on Administration of the Statewide Trust Water Rights Program
- Draft Request to Establish or Modify a Water Bank- Draft of the form
- Please submit written comments through this link by Sunday, September 19 at 11:59pm
Drought 2021

July 12

Agenda
Streamflow restoration planning - update
Water Banking Trust Water Rights Presentation - Dave Christensen, Robin McPherson, Carrie Sessions
Water Supply Update - Jeff Marti
- Provide your observations:
  - Condition Monitoring Observations | Drought Impacts Toolkit (unl.edu)
  - Environmental fish/shellfish die-off report form - PublicInput.com

June 14

Agenda
- WebEx Tips
Presentation - Evaluating the impacts of water rights transfers in Washington State - Evans School of Public Policy and Governance
Report - Evaluating the impacts of out-of-basin water rights transfers in Washington state
Water Supply Update - Jeff Marti
Okanogan County v. Department of Ecology, Okanogan County Superior Court No. 21-2-00039-24
Columbia Crest Estates Homeowners Association v. Department of Ecology, Thurston County Superior Court No. 20-2-00956-34
Chamokane Creek United States of America, Spokane Tribe of Indians, v. Barbara J. Anderson, et al.
Streamflow Restoration Planning
- News release - State adopts new watershed plans for Puyallup River and Chambers-Clover basin
News release - Ecology issues drought advisory for most of the state
Blog - Eye On (Water) Supply - Washington State Department of Ecology
Webpage - Drought response - Washington State Department of Ecology

May 10

Agenda
- WebEx Tips
Legislative Update - presentation
Provide comments on the WRIA 10 and WRIA 12 plan environmental review
Provide comments on the draft POL-1050, see information in the April 12 meeting below.
Ecology adopts new watershed plan for Duwamish-Green River Basin - News release

April 12

Agenda - includes login information for WebEx
- WebEx Tips
Draft policy revision for review and comment - We value your feedback on the proposed changes.Please send any written comments to Carrie Sessions, by May 11, 2021 at 11:59pm.
- POL-1050 - Draft for comments (MS Word - use track changes and save before sending back to us)
  - POL-1050 - Draft for comments (PDF)
- POL-1050 - Original policy for reference
Carrie Sessions
Policy and Legislative Analyst, Water Resources Program
WA State Department of Ecology
(360) 742-6582 (work cell)
carrie.sessions@ecy.wa.gov
March 31 New Skagit water options
Find a water right using the Water Rights Search

March 8

Agenda - includes login information for WebEx
- WebEx Tips
Streamflow Restoration
- SEPA comment period open for WRIA 9 streamflow plan
- Streamflow restoration planning
Environmental justice - Link to Ecologys page
- Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map
- EPA's Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool

February 8

Agenda - includes login information for WebEx
- WebEx Tips
Streamflow Restoration
- News release - Jan. 28 Ecology adopts 3 streamflow restoration plans
- Streamflow Restoration Planning - links to adopted plan addendums for Chehalis, Little Spokane and Okanogan
In your watershed - Links to water availability focus sheets, added Chehalis, Little Spokane and Okanogan

January 11 - Meeting canceled. Next meeting is Feb. 8

Ecology begins environmental review of proposal to rebuild Eightmile Lake Dam - News release 12/18/2020

Department of Ecology Committees, Boards, and Workgroups

WRAC Archive 2021

2021 Meetings

Department of Ecology
Committees, Boards, and Workgroups